Thursday, October 29, 2009

Poetic Brilliant Fantastic... There are so many ways you can describe this film.

One thing for sure the world has missed out on one helluva concert.

Michael Jackson has raised the bar to levels in this film that is an inspiration and achallenge to any striving artist who really wants to be great in this business of music.

From the out set you see a man who is totally in control of what he wants to do an see inwhat was to be his come back and final concert appearance.

The first concert rehearsal movie ever, filmed on the stage at the O2 Arena in London is fill with performers, musicians, choreographers, crew members and craftsmen, but the movie's focus throughout is on Jackson.

You understand what it takes to attain such dizzying heights in entertainment.

Michael the genius as he is chisels an carves away in his search for this beautifulconcert surrounded with the theme of love. (SURELY A MASTERPIECE IN THE MAKING)

There are split scenes where Michael is performing in different out fits to the same song.

In front of a Sony green screen 11 male dancer are transformed into 11million.

Michael in another scene in the movie during his performance of the song "SmoothCriminal" is shot in black & white in a gangster roll with the late actorsSusan Haywood, Edward G. Robinson and Humphrey Bogart.

Kenny Ortega the director of the stage show, has put together this movie from 120 hours of digital video footage -- for which Sony reportedly paid $60 million.

Following Tuesdays premieres, the film has opened on more than 3,400 domestic screens along with 96 in Imax theaters and another 27 internationally for a two-week run. That run will be extended if demand is there.

This is a must see film if you are a Jackson fan. A fine tribute to a man much misunderstood.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Once again the ugly side of politics in America raises it's hand as critics and hawksspit there venom against the President Of The United States.

In the latest round of Obama bashing, the Haters have taken aim at his recentNobel Peace Award.

There is nothing this man can do, say or just happen to be part of that isn'tup for stone throwing.

Truth is truth the haters do not want the president to win anything that haspeace attached to it while we are in the middle of a war in Afghanistan.Particularly when the generals want 40,000 troops or more as generals always want.

Sen Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) head of the intelligence Committee, said the USwould be in "Serious jeopardy" of losing the war if Obama failed to meet therequest of Gen Stanley McCrystal for major troop buildup to the current levelof 67,000 men.

On the other end in London, Secretary of State Clinton slammed the Bush Administrationconduct of the Afghan war in defending Obama's lengthy decision-making process.

During the Vietnam war Gen. William Westmoreland wanted 100,000 more troopsfrom Lyndon Johnson until he finally said know but he kept pushing for the troopbuildup which he called 550,000 the "minimum essential force" and 670,000 the "optimum".

Westmoreland said he could finish the job in three years, well history has alreadyanswered that issue.

Now the Nobel Peace Prize has become more trivial because the rest of the worldfeels he deserves it.

He didn't ask for it, an the many more problems that it brings to his table.

Oh! what about the president of the world, he didn't ask for that either.

The other guy before him wanted that.Well now where are these troops to come from with our military over stretchedas it is. There is something called the draft an you know, you haters it will be yoursons and daughters who will fill some of those ranks. We will see how you like that.

What more can be said about a president who has the courage an the humblenessto admit when he has made a mistake an except full responsibility for what everactions he has taken.

This is a far cry from the days of former president an politicians who for nothingelse remain in self denial about most of there action....

President Barack Obama has shown once again that he is a president for thepeople an by the people over a resent statement made seemingly maligning theCambridge Police department in there arrest of Harvard Prof. Henry Louis Gates.

It's sad that critics who have nothing else to do but try an prolong an issue thatparties envolved are trying to get behind them....

Issues of race like the issue of guns in the United States will for ever raise it'sugly head.

Yes things do get out of hand, so the nature of a country who's very existencehas been embroiled in these kinds of things since it's birth......

For to long in this country, race issues have just been tucked away in thecloset with know one standing up with the courage in tackling this scourge.

So what it being a local issue an the President of the United States weighing ineven though choosing his words in an uncalibrated way, still shows that we areall part of this united family here an it will take all of us to sort out the worst ofof our problems.

Monday, June 29, 2009

Recently at London's Indigo o2 Arena Lifetime Achievement Awards presented by Neil Martin of Sony Music to The Drifters Legends, to recognise the contribution that the Drifters made to the Bell Arista Label. Receiving the awards were Butch Leake an Joe Blunt Original members of the 70s lineup of the Drifters.

On hand were writer Roger Greenway who wrote an co wrote some of the most popularhits of the period such as Kissin In The Backrow of the Movies, Down on the Beach tonight,There Goes My First Love and Your more Than a Number In My Little Red Book.

Neil pointed out that..... The Drifters are now well into their sixth decade delighting audiences around the world. They have enjoyed remarkable success in their career, selling well over 200 million singles and well over 100 million albums."

The Show was produced by the Prism Music Group an Promoted by London's Kennedy Streetand Martial Arts.......

The show featured the current Drifters lineup With Maurice Cannon, Steve King, MichaelWilliams and Damion Charles and featured Butch Leake, Joe Blunt and Wolf Johnson ofThe Drifter Legends.....

For more information on this prestigious night go to theofficialdrifters.com or click onthe title link above......

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

The current vocal exchange between Washington an North Korea hasreached a new high as the North Korean Gov't threatens massive retaliationif the US infringes on there sovereignty.

This coming after President Obama said that a nuclear-armed North Koreaposed a grave threat to the world.

At a recent news conference both President Obama an South Koreanpresident Lee Myung-bak said they would vigorously pursue an endto North Korea's nuclear program.

The North Korean's have said in no uncertain terms that "The nuclearprogramme is not the monoply of the US"

This latest commentary from Pyongyang comes on the heels of the 25May underground nuclear test and recent missiles launches.

It has been reported by Japanese and South Korean media sourcesthat tere were signs of two long-range missile launch sites beingreadied on the north-west coast and the other on the north-east coast.

The North Koreans are also withdrawing it's fund from banks in thechinese territory of Macau and elsewhere before it can be frozen byUN sanctions according to South Koreas Dong-a Ilbo newspaper..

The UN security council approved tougher sanctions against the Northto include inspections of ships carrying banned cargo, also a wider banon arm sales and measures to stop Pyongyang's access to internationalfinancial sources...

So now where are we? since implimenting those resolutions the Norththreatend it would begin enriching uranium and use all it's plutoniumfor nuclear weapons...

This is sure a slap at the Obama administration to test it's resolve inthis matter an it's pursuit along deplomatic and peaceful means...

Friday, June 5, 2009

President Barack Obama has once again given one of those great speechesthat will be recorded in history as a defined moment in time.

His speech was given in a country that is as old as the sands of time wheremuch of the worlds profound wisdom an knowledge has sprung.

Where Greek philosophers sat at the feet of the masters of math, writing, medicine,astronomy and building.

His speech a message of peace had mix opinion among many in the middle eastern world,but it was a message of balance an measure.

"The concept of peace was born in the Middle East and constitutes the cornerstone of all three monotheistic faiths -- Christian, Jewish and Muslim -- and it is incumbent on the people of Abraham to unite to meet the challenge and together realize the vision of a sustainable peace in the Middle East," he said.Speaking from Cairo Egypt his speech focused on seven key points: Violence & Extremism,Israel & Palestine, Nuclear weapons & Iran, Democracy & Human rights, ReligiousFreedom, Woman's Rights and Economic Development & Opportunity.

The president highlighted that Americas policy will align with those who pursue peace.

Quoting from the Koran, Torah and New Testament he pointed to the diversity amongthe people of the book and Blessed be the Peace Makers they will be the children of God.

On key points such as the Israel-Palestine problem he pointed out that Palestiniansmust stop resorting to violence in pursuit of there goals and that the US hasrequested a freeze on settlements in Israel.

President Obama reinforced the message that ending the occupation and establishing a viable and independent Palestinian state was in the mutual interest of Palestinians, Israelis and indeed the entire world.Further the President pointed out to promoting a broad educational exchange programbetween Islamic countries and the US.

Still there are those who will not embrace what he has envisaged weather here in theUS or the middle east as the leaders of Al Qaeda have said there can be no peaceuntil the US stops aligning with Israel.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

The current lineup will release a version of Sir Elton Johns Sacrifice withproceeds to be donated to UK based HIV+/AIDS Charity MildMay.

MildMay have pioneered care and treatment for HIV+AIDS patients in the UK and overseas for the last two decades and the charity leads the world in the treatment and rehabilitation of HRBI (HIVRelated Brain Impairment) at their EastLondonHospital, which is well known for the famous visit of the late Princess Diana.

The Sacrifice track Produced by Shaun Lowe at Neon Records will be officially released on the 28th of June to coincide with The Drifters featuring The Drifters Legends Show at the Indigo 02 Arena.

PRE-ORDER NOW at http://www.7digital.com/artists/the-drifters/sacrifice/

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Well 2008 was a world wind year traveling to Europe and around the Americas.It was great to be back on stage in the UK before the fans I know so well andreliving some of the nostalgia from the days with the Drifters....

It was a special honor working with the new lineup of drifters for this day an time.

Looking forward to 2009, as we are working on some new an surprise projectssurrounding the Legendary Group an name.

The British fans are a special breed of people who are some of the most supportivepeople on the planet and I hold them close to my heart....

This year we have reached out to former legends of the group to work on somenew development Ideas to move into the future which will feature the DriftersLegends with the Drifters on a show at the Indigo 02 Arena in London Sunday the 28th2009.

To compliment this show Atlantic will release a compilation album featuringsongs from 50s, 60s, 70s and some new song for 2009.

Also on the cards is a possible world tour with both groups.

PMG entertainment UK has been instrumental in re-branding the name and bringing it back to it's former glory...

I for one am happy to be back on board with an entity that I have put much of my life into.....

For many of the fans out there as you know there has been much controversyaround the group an who's really who..Know this that if you see a group and it has not been commissioned by Treadwellit is not a legitimate act....

This is not to say that former legends of the Drifters are not legit, it's just thatif they are working as The Drifters and are not covered by license they areinfringing someones owned property.

Also beware of those who claim to had been legitimate Drifter lineup members..

Over on youtube you will see many Drifter videos with lineups claimingto be the legitimate article. Do your research... The official site for the Driftersis at www.theofficialdrifters.com

Currently PMG entertainment control the worldwide licensing of the Driftersname and Treadwell are the rightful owners of the Drifters service mark....

Thursday, March 26, 2009

The Legendary Atlantic Bell/Arista group is currently in it's 55th year as anentity. A dynasty which started in early 1953 an has endured these many yearsas one of the most unusual music stories in the history of musical entertainment.

Spawned by the vision of George Treadwell an Ahmet Ertegun and the 1953original lineup of Clyde McPhatter, Bill Pickney, Andrew (Bubba) and Gerhart Thrasher.

The Drifters have had over 60 or more members who have grace it's lineupover the past 55 years. Some more significant than others, those that made itto records, books, television an other media and those who never saw the lightof day pass one show or so.

The Drifters an it's organization have had three golden periods and 5 significantlineups throughout it's history.

Currently there are a handful of Original members respective of the eras theycame in who are still around.

In the UK a new group which you can say will bring in with success, the forthgolden period under the Treadwell family name who owns the service mark,are performing to sell out audiences and are set to release some new songsfor this period....

It was during the early 70s that Faye Treadwell the Widow of the LegendaryGeorge Treadwell brought then the line up of Johnny Moore, Butch Leake, BillFredricks and Grant Kitchings to the UK and signed with the Bell/Arista label.

That signing spawned the Hits "Kissin in the Backrow of the Movies, "ThereGoes My First Love" "Love Games" "Like Sister And Brother" Which toppedthe British and European charts throughout the 70s.

After 1974, there were to be replacements for the original Bell group withClyde Brown replacing Bill Fredricks and Billy Lewis replacing Grant Kitchings.

At the end of 1975, Butch Leake is replaced by Joe blunt.

It was the linup of Johnny Moore, Clyde brown, Joe Blunt and Billy Lewisthat are noted for "More Than A Number In My Little Red Book"

After this period a number of replacement were in an out up through the 90swith Johnny at one period attempting a new solo career which was short lived.

Both Bill Fredricks an Butch Leake went on to solo careers in the UK and Europe.

Grant Kitchings returned to the United States an joined the Legendary Ink Spots.

After a number of legal battles in the USA & UK. The Drifters LLC is owned by the original Treadwell family Headed By Tina Treadwell the daughter of Faye and George Treadwell.

The World wide Licensing right is controled by PMG Music & Entertainment UK.

For more information go to www.theofficialdrifters.com or click on the title abovewho's who with The Drifters.........

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

It's that time again...... Meaning the roller skating seasons begins at Central Parknext month. This is the annual bash that takes place weekends an holidays from aroundthe second week in April thru October hosted by The Central Park Dance Skaters Asssociation.

This event is one of New York's advertised fun things to do when visiting the big Appleduring the spring an summer season and it's free.

For more infomation go to cpdsa.org or click on the title above.......

Friday, March 13, 2009

Soon to be posted, a new website "The Legacy Of The 70s" dedicated to the history ofthe Original Bell Recording Group The Drifters authored by Butch Leake soul survivingmember of the original lineup. The group pass, present and future has been an on goingstory with much controversy, yet one of the most interesting subjects in the historyof musical entertainment. The current lineup under the guidance of PMG entertainmentEngland is the latest in official Drifter lineups spawned by the Treadwell music family, theowner of the service and trade name. Why the Legacy Of The 70s? The 70s was a pivotalpoint in the revival of the act which went into decline towards the end of the 60s. It wasin the early 70s, which happened to be the third golden era that management signed withthe Bell Arista group which produce a series of hit songs which topped the British anEuropean music charts during this period. Drifter fans world wide huddle on social siteson the internet and discuss stories about there favorite Drifter lineup. The attempt hereis just to create a down to earth link to authentic Drifter Histology, hosting interviews,comments and data on this great music dynasty.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

When will it end? Thats the question everyone is asking in this 20th day of of fightingbetween the warring factions, Israel and Hamas. Both parties in this conflict have ignoreddemands from senior goverment officials to stop the fighting, as the civilian casualities continue to rise...

Gaza continues to burn as Israel comes under scrutiny for using white phosphorus weaponsin this war which are forbidden when there is a condensed civilian population as in gaza.

These sort of weapons were used in Vietnam by US personel with devastating resultsand are questionable when civilian population is at risk.

In this current middle east conflict, Israel has a right to defend it self as a nation of peoplewho are under attack by it's adversaries, but the underline issue here is the measurementof her responce to the aggression and does it meet criterior under international law.

The Israel/Palestinian problems are age old. Israel is an occupying force and has beenover the pass forty years or more.

Anyone who knows the history of the region will agree to that...but as usual the factsof history are pushed under the rug and revised to suit the current status of todayspolitical agendas.

The middle east issues will never truly be settled until the real historical question areanswered....

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

In a recent post on Blogcatolog it has been suggest that Butch Leake in an early postingon the history of the Drifters had commited some form of plagarism on a work reportedlyby Tony Allan relating to a book he wrote on the early history of the group.

Specifically in his own words he states he was the first ever to list early Drifter recordings.

It must be said that this drifters story is one of the most recorded storiesworld wide. There are currently over 195,000 biographical listings on the world wideweb alone.

Many of these listings are very detailed as they were ascertained by interviewing formermembers past and present.

It is in this understanding that most of what is reported in Mr Allans book was shaped bythe former Drifters management an though it has historical value, it does not paint anabsolute accurate picture of the history or of the truth.

A matter of fact many publications have been reporting on the 50s vocal group since the very early 70s and carried much more detailed biographies and discograph listings long before publication in this book which if we are correct was first published in 1994.

Drifter recordings are a matter of historical record. To say one does not have accessor knowledge of them is incorrect thinking on this authors part.

In law, defamation (also called calumny, libel,, slander, and vilification) is communicationof a statement that makes a false claim, expressly stated or implied to be factual, thatgive an individual, business, product, group, government or nation a negative image.

Slander refers to a malicious, false and defamatory spoken statement or report, whilelibel refers to any other form of communication such as written words or images......

Mr. Allan claims there were large parts of his book used on the site? is this accusationin part, because he thinks of himself as the only legitament writer comissioned by the

Drifter management?

A further fact is my research and writing matters started long before this book or a T. Allanwas ever known and because his work may be listed under some title I might have on theinternet as far as similarities does not mean I lifted his material. Thats the way informationis logged on the web...

Friday, January 2, 2009

Happy New Year, with all the problems we have on the home front with the economy,the year begins with with a bang. A new conflict begins in the Middle East with twoold advarsaries Israel and Hamas. The new american administration has it's workcut out to try and broker an on going peace in the region which has thus far beenimpossible to do. At this current writing Israel has amassed it's tanks and troopson the border in preparation for a ground assault on Gaza which seems to beimminent.... Are we in a further meltdown as far as US foreign relations? Or can thenew Obama administration broker a workable plan for the region.....(CORNER TALK REPORT)